UK not happy with local probe

November 19, 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron says investigations carried out by the Sri Lankan government on human rights related issues are not fully independent as most of them have been military-led inquiries !e told the British !ouse of Commons Britain "ants to see a proper# independent inquiry into the incident "hich allegedly took place during the "ar $n a briefing to the !ouse of Commons on his recent visit to Sri Lanka for the Common"ealth summit# Cameron said that the Sri Lankan issue is no" an established part of Britain%s foreign policy "hich is to raise at every international forum the importance of a strong# united# prosperous and reconciled future for Sri Lanka !e said that at his meeting "ith President &a'apaksa in Sri Lanka he "as told that the government needs time and that there "as no room for an international investigation (But $ made it clear to President &a'apaksa that he no" has a real opportunity# through magnanimity and reform# to build a successful# inclusive and prosperous future for his country# "orking in partnership "ith the ne"ly elected Chief Minister of the )orthern Province $ very much hope that he sei*es that opportunity#+ the British Premier said Cameron said that had he stayed a"ay from attending the Colombo summit President &a'apaksa "ould have been able to (set the agenda he "anted+

($ chose to go and stand up for our values and to do all $ could to advance them $ believe that that "as the right decision for Sri Lanka# for the Common"ealth and for Britain#+ he said (Colombo Gazette)
U!! "#$%&#' &he (rime )ini*ter ()r "avi+ Cameron)'

Let me turn to the Common"ealth# and then to the issues in Sri Lanka itself ,he Common"ealth is a unique organisation representing -. countries# a third of the "orld%s population and a fifth of the global economy $t is united by history# by relationships and by the values of the ne" Common"ealth charter "hich "e agreed t"o years ago in Perth Britain is a leading member !er Ma'esty the /ueen is the head of the Common"ealth and !is &oyal !ighness the Prince of 0ales did our country proud acting on her behalf and attending last "eek 1s "ith all the international organisations to "hich "e belong# the Common"ealth allo"s us to champion the values and economic gro"th that are so vital to our national interest 1t this summit "e reached important conclusions on poverty# human rights and trade 2n poverty# this "as the last Common"ealth meeting before the millennium development goals e3pire 0e "anted our Common"ealth partners to unite behind the ambitious programme set by the 4) high-level panel "hich $ co-chaired "ith the Presidents of $ndonesia and Liberia 5or the first time this programme prioritises not 'ust aid# but the vital place of anti-corruption efforts# open institutions# access to 'ustice# the rule of la" and good governance in tackling poverty 2n human rights# the Common"ealth reiterated its support for the core values set out in the Common"ealth charter Common"ealth leaders condemned in the strongest terms the use of se3ual violence in conflict6an issue that has been championed globally by the Secretary of State for 5oreign and Common"ealth 1ffairs# my right hon 5riend the Member for &ichmond 78orks9 7Mr !ague9 0e also called for an end to early and forced marriage# and for greater freedom of religion and belief 0e committed to taking urgent and decisive action against the illegal "ildlife trade ahead of the conference in London ne3t year 1nd Britain successfully resisted an attempt to usher :imbab"e back into the Common"ealth "ithout first addressing the deep concerns that remain about human rights and political freedoms ,he 5oreign Secretary and $ also used the meeting to build the case for more open trade and for developing our links "ith the fastest gro"ing parts of the "orld ,he Common"ealth backed a deal at ne3t month%s 0orld ,rade 2rganisation meeting in Bali that could cut bureaucracy at borders and generate ;<== billion for the global economy Before and after the summit in Sri Lanka# $ continued to bang the drum for British trade and investment $ "ent to )e" Delhi and Calcutta in $ndia before heading to Sri Lanka6the third time $ have visited $ndia as Prime Minister 1nd $ "ent from the summit to 1bu Dhabi and Dubai# "here 1irbus agreed ne" orders from >mirates and >tihad airlines that "ill add ?- @ billion to the British economy ,hese orders "ill sustain and secure A#-== British 'obs# including at the plants in north 0ales and Bristol# and open up ne" opportunities for the &olls-&oyce factory in Derby ,he last Bovernment agreed# late in C==D# to hold the C=<. Common"ealth meeting in Sri Lanka ,hat "as not my decision# but $ "as determined to use the presence of the Common"ealth and my o"n visit to shine a global spotlight on the situation there# and that is e3actly "hat $ did $ became the first foreign leader to visit the north of the country since independence in <D@E and# by taking the media "ith me# $ gave the local population the chance

to be heard by an international audience $ met the ne" provincial Chief Minister from the ,amil )ational 1lliance# "ho "as elected in a vote that happened only because of the spotlight of the Common"ealth meeting $ took our 'ournalists to meet the incredibly brave ,amil 'ournalists at the 4thayan ne"spaper in Faffna# many of "hom have seen their colleagues killed and "ho have themselves been beaten and intimidated $ met and heard from displaced people desperately "anting to return to their homes and their livelihoods 1nd as part of our support for reconciliation efforts across the country# $ announced an additional ?C < million to support de-mining "ork in parts of the north# including the locations of some of the most chilling scenes from Channel @%s ()o 5ire :one+ documentary 0hen $ met President &a'apaksa# $ pressed for credible# transparent and independent investigations into alleged "ar crimes# and $ made it clear to him that if those investigations "ere not begun properly by March# $ "ould use our position on the 4nited )ations !uman &ights Council to "ork "ith the 4) !uman &ights Commissioner and call for an international inquiry )o one "ants to return to the days of the ,amil ,igers and the disgusting and brutal things that they did 0e should also sho" proper respect for the fact that Sri Lanka suffered almost three decades of bloody civil conflict and that recovery and reconciliation take time But $ made it clear to President &a'apaksa that he no" has a real opportunity# through magnanimity and reform# to build a successful# inclusive and prosperous future for his country# "orking in partnership "ith the ne"ly elected Chief Minister of the )orthern Province $ very much hope that he sei*es that opportunity Sri Lanka has suffered an appalling civil "ar6and then of course suffered all over again from the C==@ tsunamiG but it is an e3traordinary and beautiful country "ith enormous potential 1chieving that potential is all about reconciliation $t is about bringing 'ustice# closure and healing to the country# "hich no" has the chance# if it takes it# of a much brighter future ,hat "ill happen only by dealing "ith these issues and not ignoring them $ had a choice at this summitH to stay a"ay and allo" President &a'apaksa to set the agenda he "anted# or to go and shape the agenda by advancing our interests "ith our Common"ealth partners and shining a spotlight on the international concerns about Sri Lanka $ chose to go and stand up for our values and to do all $ could to advance them $ believe that that "as the right decision for Sri Lanka# for the Common"ealth and for Britain $ commend this statement to the !ouse
#+war+ )iliban+ ("onca*ter North) (!ab)'

$ thank the Prime Minister for his statement Let me start by saying that all our thoughts are "ith the people of the Philippines as they struggle to deal "ith the devastation of ,yphoon !aiyan ,hirteen million people have been affected by the typhoon# over @ million of them childrenG nearly . million have lost their homes and# as the Prime Minister said# thousands are believed to have lost their lives# including a number of British citi*ens ,he pictures "e have seen are of terrible devastation 1s so often happens "hen disaster strikes any"here in the "orld# the British people have reacted by reaching deep into their pocketsH so far# ?.- million has been donated by the British public through the Disasters >mergency Committee $ also "ant to thank our forces on !MS Daring and !MS $llustrious for the "ork they are doing to help "ith disaster relief# and to commend the leadership of the Prime Minister and the $nternational Development Secretary in providing ?-= million in aid 0e need to see the same from other countries# as the 4) appeal has only a quarter of the funds it needs ,herefore# may

$ ask the Prime Minister "hat actions the Bovernment are taking to encourage other countries to commit and free up resources as quickly as possible to the Philippines# so that this 4) aid target is metI Serious damage sustained to airports# seaports and roads continues to present ma'or logistical challenges for the emergency response# so may $ ask the Prime Minister "hat steps are being taken to ensure that humanitarian relief is reaching those in very remote and isolated areas "ho have been "orst affected by the typhoonI 2n the Common"ealth !eads of Bovernment meeting6C!2BM6"e "elcome the communiquJ%s conclusions on global threats and challenges# on programmes promoting Common"ealth collaboration and# of course# on development 1t its best# the Common"ealth summit gathers together -. countries seeking to promote common values# including democracy# accountability# the rule of la" and human rights $ believe that this !ouse is united in our abhorrence of terrorism and in recognising that "hat happened in Sri Lanka# particularly to"ards the end of the conflict in C==D# "hen tens of thousands of innocent civilians "ere murdered# totally fails the test of those values $t "as for that reason that# at the C==D Common"ealth summit# the last Labour Bovernment blocked the plan for Sri Lanka to host the summit in C=<< 1s the current 5oreign Secretary told the Select Committee on 5oreign 1ffairsH (,he 4K made clearLduring the C==D C!2BMLthat "e "ould be unable to support Sri Lanka%s bid to host in C=<< + ,hose are the "ords of the 5oreign Secretary Delaying the hosting of the summit until C=<. "as to allo" time for the Sri Lankan Bovernment to sho" progress on human rights ,his has not been the caseG indeed# things have got "orse# not better $ say to the Prime Minister that "hen he attended the summit in C=<<# he could have acted precisely as the Labour Bovernment of C==D had done and brought together a coalition to block Sri Lanka%s hosting the Common"ealth summit in C=<. Let me ask the Prime Minister a series of questions 5irst# the Deputy Prime Minister said in May to this !ouse that (if the Sri Lankan Bovernment continue to ignore their international commitments in the lead up to the Common"ealth !eads of Bovernment meeting# of course there "ill be consequences +6M2fficial &eport# <- May C=<.G Nol -A.# c A.@ O Can the Prime Minister tell usH "hat "ere those consequences for the Sri Lankan BovernmentI Secondly# at the summit on 5riday# the Prime Minister called for the Sri Lankan Bovernment# as he said# to initiate an independent inquiry by March into allegations of "ar crimes But by Sunday# President &a'apaksa had already appeared to re'ect this ,he 4) human rights commissioner called t"o years ago for an internationally-led inquiry# and "e have supported that call $s not the right thing to do no" to build international support for that internationallyled processI ,hirdly# after this summit the Sri Lankan President "ill be chair of the Common"ealth for the ne3t t"o years6that includes attending the Common"ealth games Did the Prime Minister have any discussions at the summit "ith other countries about "hether President &a'apaksa "as an appropriate person to play that roleI 5inally# the Prime Minister of Canada and the Prime Minister of $ndia decided not to attend this summit $n e3plaining his decision# Prime Minister !arper saidH ($n the past t"o years "e haveLseenLa considerable "orsening of the situation + 1ccepting the good intentions of the Prime Minister# "ere not Prime Ministers !arper and

Singh right to believe that the attendance of !eads of Bovernment at C!2BM "ould not achieve any improvement or prospects for improvement in human rights "ithin Sri LankaI $ndeed# the summit communiquJ failed even to reference the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka ,he legacy of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka is in contradiction to the good traditions of the Common"ealth 0e believe "e cannot let the matter rest Britain must do "hat it can to ensure that the truth emerges about the crimes that "ere committed# so that there can be 'ustice for those "ho have suffered so much 0hen the Bovernment act to make that happen# "e "ill support them
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ am grateful to the right hon Bentleman for "hat he said about the response on the Philippines $ agree "ith himH other countries need to do more# and "e "ill continue to "ork "ith them# through both the Department for $nternational Development and the 5oreign 2ffice# to make sure everyone lives up to their responsibilities !e asked specifically ho" "e "ill ensure that relief gets through ,hat is "hy !MS $llustrious# "ith seven helicopters# 'oining the 1merican carrier there can make a difference6because of the lift capacity $ am also grateful to the right hon Bentleman for his response on Sri Lanka and the Common"ealth# but it is "orth recalling that# had "e listened to his advice# "e "ould not be having this statement no" in the !ouse and discussing this issue Biven that Labour agreed to this conference taking place in Sri Lanka# criticising my attendance breaks ne" records for opportunism and double-speak Let me respond very directly $n C==D# some time after the end of "ar# the last Bovernment agreed that the conference should take place in C=<. in Sri Lanka $f he kno"s anything about foreign affairs6$ doubt it# because he barely gets out of $slington 6he "ould kno" that this is a consensus organisationH once something has been agreed# it is very difficult to unblock it So it "as in C==D that the pass "as sold $ have to say to him that# more than that# this sho"s very poor 'udgment ,his is a multilateral organisation of "hich "e are a leading member and our /ueen is the head !o" do "e advance free trade if "e are not thereI !o" do "e stand up for issues such as ta3# transparency# tackling poverty# and preventing se3ual violence in conflictI !o" do "e do all that from @#=== miles a"ayI2n Sri Lanka# the right hon Bentleman specifically asked "hether "e pressed for our agenda 8es# "e did# very directly# on the importance of land reform# on the importance of human rights# on the importance of an independent inquiry 2f course# some other leaders decided to stay a"ay# and everyone must take their o"n decision# but frankly# no country on earth has a more direct relationship "ith the Common"ealth than this one# and that is "hy it "as right to go $f he is concerned about the rights of ,amils# as $ am# and reconciliation# the right thing to do is to go and shine a spotlight on their plight 8ou cannot do that sitting at home $ remember "hen his brother said that "e needed 5oreign Secretaries and Prime Ministers "ho could stop the traffic in Bei'ing !e "ill not even get out of Primrose !ill ,his "hole area of 'udgment by the right hon Bentleman is a sign of "eakness !e "as given a choiceH an easy political path or a tough# right path# and he cops out every time6too "eak to stand up to Len McCluskey# too "eak to stand up for Britain abroad
,ir )enzie* Campbell (North #a*t i-e) (!")'

May $ associate myself "ith the Prime Minister%s observations about the Philippines and congratulate him and the Bovernment on ensuring such a remarkable response on behalf of the 4nited KingdomI$ am not one of those "ho believes that the Prime Minister should not have

attended 4nlike other Prime Ministers# he had a constitutional obligation to be present to provide support and# if necessary# advice for the Prince of 0ales "ho "as representing !er Ma'esty the /ueen $s not the rightness of the Prime Minister%s decision demonstrated eloquently by the quality and volume of the coverage he "as able to achieveI 2f course# the test "ill be the e3tent to "hich there is a proper follo"-through $n that respect# "ill my right hon 5riend assure us that everything "ill be done to try to achieve unanimity of purpose at the 4nited )ations for an inquiry of the kind he has outlinedI ,he Prime MinisterH$ am very grateful for "hat my right hon and learned 5riend says about the importance of attending ,his point about media organisations is important# because they have been unable to travel freely in the north of the country By taking respected organisations such as the BBC# $,N# Sky and Channel @ directly to the areas affected in Faffna# they "ere able literally to shine a spotlight on the things that have happened !e is entirely right to say that "hat matters no" is follo"-through# but "hat is important is that this is no" an established part of Britain%s foreign policy6to raise at every international forum# in every "ay "e can# the importance of a strong# united# prosperous and reconciled future for Sri Lanka# and that is e3actly "hat "e "ill do
%nn Clwy+ (Cynon .alley) (!ab)'

,he report from the Select Committee on 5oreign 1ffairs on the 5C2%s human rights "ork statedH(0e recommend that the Prime Minister should obtain assurances from the Sri Lankan Bovernment that people "ho approach him to talk about human rights "hile he is in Sri Lanka to attend the C!2BM do not face reprisals or harassment by security forces +0as he able to obtain those assurances from the Sri Lankan Bovernment# or notI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ made very clear to all the authorities $ spoke to ho" important it "as to be able to visit the north of the country# to meet refugees and displaced people and to raise their cases ,hat "as e3actly "hat $ "as able to do "ith the President ,he "orld "ill no" be "atching "hat happens to those people# and $ "as given assurances that people "ere being re-housed and given ne" livelihoods 0e "ill "atch very carefully to see "hat happens to the people $ met
)r /enry $ellin0ham (North 1e*t Nor-ol2) (Con)'

$ congratulate the Prime Minister on going to Faffna and raising those difficult questions "ith President &a'apaksa Does the Prime Minister agree "ith me that as Sri Lanka "ill be in the chair of the Common"ealth running up to the Mauritius C!2BM# it is incredibly important that it focus relentlessly on the agenda he encapsulated of good governance# the rule of la"# free trade and "ealth creationI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

,hat is absolutely the agenda "e should be addressing and pushing for $ "ould make the point that the role of the Common"ealth chair can be overstated# as it is the secretary-general "ho

sets the agenda for the Common"ealth 1gain# ho"ever# the Common"ealth is a consensus organisation 2nce the previous Bovernment had signed up to C!2BM%s being in Sri Lanka# the natural consequence "as that Sri Lanka "ould be the de facto chair for t"o years ,hat flo"s from a Labour Bovernment%s decision# not our decision
)r 3ac2 ,traw ($lac2b4rn) (!ab)'

May $ press the Prime Minister on the question from my right hon 5riend the Member for Cynon Nalley 71nn Cl"yd9I She asked him "hether undertakings "ere given that there "ould be no harassment of those he met and had dealings "ith in the north &e-housing is one thing# and it is important# but $ "ould be very grateful if he e3panded on that
&he (rime )ini*ter'

,he point $ "as trying to make "as that although undertakings that those people should not be harmed "ere vital# their cases should also be taken up by the Sri Lankan Bovernment ,he response of the Sri Lankan Bovernment to such issues is not to say that such people do not e3ist or that there is nothing that can be done ,hey are saying# (Please give us time 0e are dealing "ith this + $t is right for the international community to press them on these issues 8es# there "ere many more internally displaced people four years ago# but there are still too many today and they need to be properly looked after
)r !ee ,cott (5l-or+ North) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend agree that the real issue at stake is the appro3imately @=#=== "omen# children and men6innocent people6"ho "ere slaughtered at the end of the conflict# and that the robust approach he sho"ed on the visit to Sri Lanka and C!2BM should be carried through# as their memories deserve 'ustice as "ell as the "ork that he has doneI $ have had many e-mails over the past fe" days thanking the Prime Minister for his robust approach# "hile also asking him to ensure that "e take things for"ard in March if President &a'apaksa does not take his stance
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for his comments $ challenge almost anyone in the !ouse to "atch even part of the Channel @ documentary about the events at the end of the "ar6"hen there "ere appalling levels of casualties among civilians in the north of the country "ho "ere# it seems# targeted6and not to believe that there should be a proper independent inquiry 2f course# dreadful things happened throughout the "ar and it is for the Sri Lankan Bovernment to decide ho" they should be investigated $t is clear# ho"ever# that those particular events at the end of the "ar need an independent inquiry so that the issue can be properly settled
3eremy Corbyn (5*lin0ton North) (!ab)'

0ill the Prime Minister e3plain ho" e3actly he proposes to follo" up his demand for an inquiryI 0hat monitoring and reporting "ill there be# and "hat action "ill the Common"ealth

take if and "hen Sri Lanka does not follo" up on the assurances he "as apparently givenI Many people are dead# and many people are very angry about the abuses of human rights by the Sri Lankan Bovernment
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ am grateful to the hon Bentleman for "hat he says ,he key thing is that the 4) high commissioner for human rights# )avi Pillay# has made the point that there should be an independent inquiry and has set the deadline for "hen it should at least begin $f it is not begun# there needs to be# as she has said# an international independent inquiry 0e are saying that "e support that vie" and "ill put behind it Britain%s international diplomatic standing in all the organisations of "hich "e are a member# including# of course# the 4nited )ations
,ir %lan /a*elh4r*t (,a--ron 1al+en) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend accept that the fierce reaction in the Bovernment-influenced press in Sri Lanka throughout his visit ensured that human rights in that country "as the stand-out issueI 0ould he agree that in future C!2BMs# a stronger presence on the part of Common"ealth parliamentarians "ould help the "hole matter of the promotion of human rightsI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ certainly agree "ith my right hon 5riend that links bet"een Common"ealth parliamentarians are very helpful for raising these issues !is first point is absolutely spot-onH because of visiting the north and raising these issues# human rights# and questions about land reform# reconciliation# and investigations# "ere top of mind for the press# the media# and everyone in Sri Lanka in a "ay that they simply "ould not have been
)i2e Gape* (5l-or+ ,o4th) (!ab6Co7op)'

,he Prime Minister says that the Bovernment "ill press the issue in March ne3t year at the 4nited )ations !uman &ights Council $n the light of that council%s "oeful record6at one point# it actually praised the Bovernment of Sri Lanka for their internal policies6ho" confident can he be# given the authoritarian states and friends of &a'apaksa "ho are on the council# that "e "ill get any"here on this in the 4)I
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ think this is going to be very hard pounding for a very long period of time# but "hat the Sri Lankan Bovernment need to understand# and $ think understand more today than perhaps they did a "eek ago# is that the issue is not going to go a"ay# and if they do not hold an independent inquiry# the pressure for an international inquiry "ill gro" and gro" 4sing the 4) human rights machinery is the right "ay to do that
,ir &ony $al+ry ($anb4ry) (Con)'

,he 4) Special Court for Sierra Leone has been sitting in ,he !ague for some time no" $t demonstrates that there is plenty of precedent sho"ing that if the 4nited )ations Security Council has the "ill# it is perfectly possible to devise mechanisms for independent 'udicial inquiries into crimes against humanity by 4) member states
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My hon 5riend brings considerable e3pertise and e3perience to this area $ "ould argue that the Common"ealth# like the 4nited )ations# is of course an imperfect organisation# but even "ith the Common"ealth# it is possible to point to e3amples "here it has stood up for human rights and for democracy6perhaps particularly recently in the case of 5i'i 0e have to use these organisations to get the results that are right# in terms of human rights and these sorts of issues
)r Ni0el "o++* ($el-a*t North) ("U()'

$ thank the Prime Minister for "hat the Bovernment are doing on the Philippines disaster# and pay tribute to the many communities up and do"n the land "ho are contributing massively to the public appeal# not least in my constituency# "here there is a community sit-out on the Shankill road to raise fundsG $ pay tribute to those involved 2n the Common"ealth summit# may $ press the Prime Minister on the issue of combating povertyI 0ill he tell us in more detail "hat has been done to combat corruption and promote good governanceI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

5irst of all# let me 'oin the right hon Bentleman in praising all those "ho are raising money for the Philippines Disasters >mergency Committee appeal $ think it is incredibly striking# in all our communities# ho" many people come straight out on to the streets and are rattling those tins and raising that moneyG at the "eekend in my constituency# $ sa" rotary clubs doing precisely that 2n the issue of tackling poverty and the link bet"een corruption and poverty# in the report from the high-level panel# "hich $ co-chaired# if "e look at the <C targets that "e thought should be set# a lot of those concern things like access to 'ustice# freedom from corruption# absence of press censorship# proper democracy and the rule of la"# because those issues are vital in helping countries to move sustainably from poverty to "ealth ,hat# $ think# is the great thing about this high-level panel reportH yes# it is about aid# and yes# it is about economic gro"th# but it recognises the golden thread of vital issues to do "ith democracy and institutions as "ell
(a4l lynn (Newport 1e*t) (!ab)'

,he Prime Minister%s call for an inquiry into the terrible events in Sri Lanka "ould carry a great deal more "eight if he had not obstructed the report on the $raq "ar ,he Chilcot inquiry demanded papers to reach a conclusion on "hy# <= years ago# the !ouse made a decision to 'oin Bush%s "ar in $raq# "ith the loss of <PD British lives
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ am responsible for many things# but holding up the $raq inquiry is not one of them Conservative Members and# indeed# my right hon and hon 5riends on the Liberal Democrat Benches called for an inquiry# "e voted for an inquiry and "e "orked for an inquiry year after year before one "as finally set up $ very much hope that its conclusions "ill shortly be available for all to see
Nichola* ,oame* ()i+ ,4**e8) (Con)'

Does my right hon 5riend agree that the Common"ealth is in many "ays uniquely placed to take advantage of the global "orld in "hich "e all liveI 0ill he say a little more about the opportunities for commercial development bet"een Common"ealth countries# particularly this country and the Common"ealthI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My right hon 5riend makes a very important point ,he Common"ealth brings quite different and disparate countries together6some of the largest on earth# such as $ndia# but also some of the smallest and most fragile island states in the "orld $t is a forum in "hich "e can discuss issues# share values and perspectives# but also# yes# talk about business and trade# "hich is "hy there is a business angle to the events in "hich "e took part 0e should use all those forums to push for our agenda of free trade and trade facilitation# and there is an important meeting coming up in Bali very soon
Keith .az (!eice*ter #a*t) (!ab)'

$ "elcome the Prime Minister%s third visit to $ndia# and his first to Calcutta $n Faffna# he sa" the devastation and grief inflicted on the ,amil people by President &a'apaksa $s he a"are that "e continue to deport ,amil people from this country to Sri Lanka# "here they are torturedI 0ill he speak to the !ome Secretary about updating the advice given on the !ome 2ffice "ebsite so that "e can protect those people# "ho are genuinely seeking asylum in our countryI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

,he asylum system should "ork on the basis of the best and latest information about "hether someone genuinely faces a risk of torture and persecution if they return 2f course# $ shone a light on some of the human rights abuses that are taking place# but it is also right to point out that in Sri Lanka today "arfare# civil "ar# terrorism and violence of that kind are not taking place# so "e should be clear and "elcome that $ thank the right hon Bentleman for "hat he said about my third visit to $ndia and my first to Calcutta ,his is part of building the special relationship that $ believe should e3ist bet"een Britain and $ndia# and "hich spans diplomacy# politics# trade and other international relations
)r ,tephen 9:$rien (#++i*b4ry) (Con)'

$ congratulate the Prime Minister on the high impact that he and the British Bovernment have

had in relation to the Philippines ,hat includes not 'ust the 5oreign and Common"ealth 2ffice and the Department for $nternational Development but the e3tension resourced through the armed forces# "hich is most "elcome $n relation to C!2BM# the Sri Lankan President proposes a truth and reconciliation process# but that is not adequate to meet the concerns and an3ieties about alleged "ar crimes 0e therefore need to follo" the process proposed by the Prime Minister# ho"ever good the truth and reconciliation processes have been in South 1frica and Mali
&he (rime )ini*ter')y

right hon 5riend makes an important point $ accept that the Sri Lankan Bovernment have set up some processes# including the ones to "hich he referred# but too many of them have been military-led inquiries6basically# private inquiries into events at the end of the "ar6rather than a proper# independent inquiry# "hich is "hat needs to be held
)r #l-yn !lwy+ ("wy-or )eirionny++) ((C)'

$ have to confess that $ thought it un"ise to go to Sri Lanka# but having heard the Prime Minister%s statement and "hat he no" plans to do $ am changing my mind6not a bad thing# possibly 1s someone "ho has raised the ,amil question many times in the past C= years or so# may $ urge him and the 5oreign Secretary to give due priority to the issue to ensure that at an early stage "e "ill have a 'ust peace and reconciliation on this "orried islandI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ thank the right hon Bentleman for his kind and very generous remarks# and for the "ay in "hich he put them $ completely agree !aving made this visit# having taking this important stand and having given the issue the attention it deserves# "e must no" make sure that "e follo" through# but "e should do so on a basis of huge optimism about the potential future of the country $f proper efforts at reconciliation are made# there is no reason "hy that country# "hich is no" essentially at peace and is not suffering "arfare and terrorism# cannot be an immense success story in the future
,imon /40he* ($ermon+*ey an+ 9l+ ,o4thwar2) (!")'

1s somebody "ho "as very uncomfortable about the meeting happening in Sri Lanka in the first place and very troubled by our participation endorsing President &a'apaksa# may $# too# commend the Prime Minister for being e3tremely robust and effective on the "ar crimes issue# and encourage him do"n that roadI 0as he able to ask any questions about disappeared people and about assassinations# and is there a chance that the Common"ealth# under its ne3t Secretary-Beneral# "ill stand up for human rights better than it has been doingI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ thank my right hon 5riend for his very kind remarks and for "hat he said about my attendance at the summit $ did raise the issue of the disappeared# and at the refugee centre in the displaced persons village $ met some people "ho told me about relatives "ho had

disappeared ,he Minister of State# 5oreign and Common"ealth 2ffice# my right hon 5riend the Member for >ast Devon 7Mr S"ire9# held a meeting "ith families of the disappeared# so the issue "as raised at every level in our engagement "ith the Sri Lankan authorities 0e must continue to raise these issues in the months and years ahead ,here is much to commend in the Common"ealth# but it is an imperfect organisation 1t its best it does stand up for values that "e all share and believe in# and the more it does so the better an organisation it "ill be
,iobhain )c"ona0h ()itcham an+ )or+en) (!ab)'

$n ans"er to a question# the Prime Minister suggested that he had made a tough and brave decision to go to C!2BM May $ tell him through you# Mr Speaker# that the tough and brave decision "as that of those family members of the disappeared "ho "ere "illing to approach himI ,hey are no" at serious risk for their lives# the lives of their families and the future of relatives they have not seen for years 0hat are the Bovernment going to do# and principally "hat is the British high commission in Colombo going to do# to ensure the safety of those familiesI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ agree entirely "ith the hon Lady ,he bravery that "as sho"n "as by the displaced people "ho "ere prepared to meet me and to speak out about their concerns Bravery "as sho"n by all those "ho have lost relatives and "ho do not kno" "here they are 1lso# it "as incredible to meet 'ournalists "ho have stood up for freedom of the press and risked assassination# torture and persecution $n the offices of the 4thayan ne"spaper are pictures around the "alls of 'ournalists "ho died reporting facts and truth in Sri Lanka 0e should do everything "e can# including through the high commission# to make sure that nobody "ho spoke out or met me suffers in any "ay at all $t is no" very public "ho $ met and "here $ "ent# and our engagement "ith the Sri Lankan Bovernment could not be clearer about the importance not only of their safety# but of making sure that they are properly housed and have access to a livelihood as part of reconciliation
)ar2 (ritchar+ (&he 1re2in) (Con)'

1t this time of national crisis for the Philippines# "ill the Prime Minister 'oin me in calling on the splinter groups of the M)L5 and M$L5 in the southern Philippines to lay do"n their arms in order that the Philippines army can help the needy throughout the "hole of the country# rather than take up arms against rebel groupsI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My hon 5riend makes an important point about the Philippines ,he over"helming priority no" must be getting aid to people "ho need it and trying to put that country back together again
"r #ili+h 1hite-or+ ($an-- an+ $4chan) (,N()'

$n the "ake of the disaster in the Philippines# our leading aid agencies have said that the increased frequency and intensity of e3treme "eather events should act as a "ake-up call for the international community to do a lot more on climate change Does the Prime Minister agree# and "hat does he intend to doI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ do agree that climate change presents huge dangers for our planet ,here is a strong case for saying that there are connections bet"een unusual "eather events and the climate change that is taking place ,hat is "hy it is important to keep the issue high up the international agenda 1t the Common"ealth conference $ "as able to raise the fact of the international climate fund# to "hich Britain has made a significant contribution# and ho" it should be helping these countries ,he Common"ealth is a good place to make the point because many members are very vulnerable small island states for "hom climate change is literally an e3istential challenge
)ar0ot 3ame* (,to4rbri+0e) (Con)'

Manufacturers in the black country "ill be reassured to hear that the Prime Minister and the 5oreign Secretary used the Common"ealth meeting to promote our trading links "ith the fastest gro"ing parts of the "orld 0ill my right hon 5riend update the !ouse on the prospects for more open trade "ith $ndia follo"ing his very successful meeting "ith Mr ,ataI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ thank my hon 5riend for that question 0e continue to push "ith $ndia the case for a free trade agreement 0ith $ndia being effectively in an election year# $ am not sure that "e "ill make huge progress no"# but "e continue to make the arguments and demonstrate the figures for ho" beneficial it "ould be for both our countries# and for the >4# to have this agreement go ahead
,an+ra 9*borne (%yr, Carric2 an+ C4mnoc2) (!ab)'

0hat progress can the Prime Minister point to in relation to human rights in the Common"ealthI $s he# for e3ample# a"are of the e3cellent report of the Kaleidoscope ,rust# chaired by the hon Member for &eigate 7Mr Blunt9# on the state of lesbian# gay# bise3ual and transgender people%s rights in the Common"ealthI 1n incredible @< countries still criminalise same se3 activity by adults $s not that a disgraceI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

0e have a very clear vie" that there should be proper rights for lesbian# gay# bise3ual and transgender people# and "e do raise these issues# including at the Common"ealth meeting# as the Minister of State and the 5oreign Secretary did ,he report that the hon Lady mentions is an e3cellent report $t is still depressing that so many countries persecute gay people# but there has in some countries been some progress in terms of greater rights and# as "e have done in this country# celebrating gay marriage

Geo--rey Cli-ton7$rown (&he Cot*wol+*) (Con)'

Despite the fact that -. countries signed up to the communiquJ to uphold the Common"ealth%s core values# does my right hon 5riend not think that the Common"ealth has a long "ay to go to uphold those core values# particularly if some countries thought that :imbab"e could creep back inI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ completely agree "ith "hat my hon 5riend says 1t its best# the Common"ealth comes together and signs up to important declarations# such as the Perth declaration on human rights# but sadly# at its "orst# those values are not al"ays stood up for in every case 0e can point to the good places# such as 5i'i# e3cluded from the Common"ealth# given a path back to the Common"ealth if the right things happen# but "e can all point to e3amples "here these values have not been properly upheld But it is an organisation that "e should be proud to belong to and "ant to make it deliver to its best
)r (at )c a++en (1olverhampton ,o4th #a*t) (!ab)'

Biven "hat happened at the end of the "ar in Sri Lanka and "hat has happened since# "hy does the Prime Minister think that the Sri Lankan Bovernment can be trusted to set up a proper independent inquiryI 0hy is it not right for us to press no" for "hat he said he might press for in March# "hich is an international inquiry in "hich the "orld can have trustI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

Fust to be clear# $ have not said "e might support itG $ have said "e "ill support it 0hat is required is an independent inquiry# and if there is not a proper independent inquiry# "e "ill6 "ill# not might6push for an independent international inquiry in March ,hat is the right approach ,he Sri Lankan Bovernment need to be put to the test ,he "ar is over ,he terrorism is finished ,hey have this incredible opportunity $t is no good the shado" 5oreign Secretary 'ust sitting there !e "as the first one "ho said there "as no point goingG there "as nothing to talk aboutG nothing Britain could do $t is the sort of stick-your-head-in-the-sand approach to diplomacy that does absolutely no good for this country or for human rights
"r 34lian !ewi* (New ore*t #a*t) (Con)'

Does the Prime Minister agree that the e3cellent "ork of the &oyal )avy in the Philippines crisis "ell illustrates its unique capability not only to pro'ect po"er but to provide assistance around the "orld# and "ill not that capability be massively increased "hen "e have t"o fleet carriers providing that sort of potential for the futureI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My hon 5riend is entirely right that our &oyal )avy does have these multiple purposes 2ne of

the strengths of !MS $llustrious is that it has the ability to desalinate "ater# and it also carries seven helicopters# and the t"o ne" carriers "ill be even more capable of such a role in the future
)r $arry ,heerman (/4++er*-iel+) (!ab6Co7op)'

,he Prime Minister looks a little like someone sticking their head in the sand "hen it comes to the environment 1ll the "orld%s scientists are looking at "hat is happening to our planet%s climate# but $ read all the ne"s reports of the conference and sa" nothing on the environment# and there "as nothing on the environment in his statement today Blobal "arming is going to destroy our planet 0hy did he not take a lead on that at the conferenceI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$t is obviously quite difficult to take a lead at a conference if one does not attend# "hich of course is "hat Members on the hon Bentleman%s 5ront Bench "ere suggesting $n my contribution $ talked about the importance of integrating our goals on climate change into our general approach to tackling poverty $ made the point that# "ith so many small island states that are so vulnerable in the Common"ealth# this is an e3istential issue for them and "e should support them# including through the international climate fund# "hich is e3actly "hat "e are doing
"r )atthew 9--or+ (/en+on) (Con)'

5or some time no" many Bovernment Members have been privately pressing the Sri Lankan Bovernment to undertake an independent inquiry in order to allay the fears of our constituents# including my constituent# Mr Fana Mahalingam# "ho regularly corresponds "ith me on the issue Does the Prime Minister agree that although peace has come through the ending of violence# the battle is no" for reconciliation# "hich could be achieved through an independent inquiryI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ completely agree "ith my hon 5riend 1n independent inquiry is essential# but "e should be clear that reconciliation is so much more than that ,here "ere issues put to me about restoring land to people "ho have been moved from their homes# about the army needing to play a reduced role in the north of the country# and about real change being needed "ith regard to respecting the elected chief Minister in the north of the country ,hat is both frustrating and yet quite e3citingH the country is# at one level# at peace# because there is no more "ar or terrorism# so the Bovernment can afford to be generous and magnanimous# and that is e3actly "hat they should do
/ei+i %le8an+er (!ewi*ham #a*t) (!ab)'

5urther to the question from the Chair of the !ome 1ffairs Committee# my right hon 5riend the Member for Leicester >ast 7Keith Na*9# does the Prime Minister accept that over the past

fe" years the British Bovernment have forcibly returned ,amil asylum seekers to Sri Lanka# only for them to be bundled into "hite vans at Colombo airport and sub'ected to horrific tortureI $s he proud of his asylum policiesI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

2ur asylum polices should be based on the latest information and on proper 'udgments about "hether people are likely to be tortured or persecuted on their return ,hat is not a decision that is made by Prime Ministers# or even by Ministers# but it is right that those decisions are properly taken account of in each case# and that is the "ay it should happen
;ichar+ $enyon (Newb4ry) (Con)'

Many people "ill be really pleased to see something in the communiquJ about the illegal trade in "ildlife ,he Prime Minister and his fello" Common"ealth leaders have grasped that that is about not only the tragic loss of iconic species# but the funding of organisations such as alShabaab and the Lord%s &esistance 1rmy 0hat can he and his Common"ealth colleagues do no" to try to influence the demand for those items of trade# "hich is fuelling the high prices that poachers can get in 1frican countries# for e3ampleI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My hon 5riend makes an important point ,here needs to be a process of education to try to reduce demand for those products# because that# of course# is "hat drives the trade in the first place $ am e3cited that ne3t year "e "ill be having that very important conference in the 4nited Kingdom# bringing all the e3perts together# "hen "e can really give as big a boost as possible
Kevin $rennan (Car+i-- 1e*t) (!ab)'$s it the Prime Minister%s position that the Bovernments of

Canada# $ndia and Mauritius# by deciding not to attend the summit# e3ercised a serious mis'udgement and are sticking their heads in the sandI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My point is simply thisH this country has a unique relationship "ith the Common"ealth and it "ould therefore have been completely "rong# opportunistic and irresponsible not to go $ think that has been demonstrated amply this afternoon
)r "avi+ N4ttall ($4ry North) (Con)'

$ thank the Prime Minister for his statement# "hich $ "armly "elcome $ think that he "as absolutely right to go to Sri Lanka and demonstrate this country%s commitment to the Common"ealth Does he agree that one concrete "ay of demonstrating our continued commitment to the Common"ealth "ould be to establish dedicated channels of entry at 4K airports for Common"ealth citi*ens# on the grounds that if it is good enough for the >uropean 4nion it is good enough for the Common"ealthI

&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ hear "hat my hon 5riend says# but $ think that my right hon 5riend the !ome Secretary might have a fe" things to say about ne"# simpler routes for people to come to this country 0hat "e have tried to do is improve our visa system 5or instance# in $ndia "e have introduced a one-day visa system 2f course# "e should look at all countries on the basis of ho" "e can have an improved visa system and encourage people "ho genuinely "ant to come here to visit# but "e should also ensure that there are not abuses# and $ am afraid that "e have to apply those rules to Common"ealth countries as "ell
Chri* $ryant (;hon++a) (!ab)',he "ar may be over# as the Prime Minister says# but there are

still many Sri Lankans here in this country# particularly ,amils# "ho are seeking asylum and are being given first decisions that are so dubious that they have been overturned at appeal 0ill the Prime Minister# "ith the ne" information that he has personally gained# look again at the "ay "e treat people "ho are seeking asylum from Sri Lanka in this countryI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

1s $ have said# our "ork should be based on the latest evidence $t is not the case that every single ,amil "ho comes here or to another country "ould be persecuted on their return 0e "ould be making a great mistake if "e took a blanket vie" like thatG it should be done on the evidence
Crai0 1hitta2er (Cal+er .alley) (Con)'

Like other colleagues# $ thank my right hon 5riend for the tremendous effort that the Secretary of State for D5$D and her Department are undertaking in relation to the truly shocking humanitarian disaster in the Philippines ,his is of course Britain sho"ing# as al"ays# "here "e morally belong and should be $ kno" that it is very early days# but can the Prime Minister update us on "hether any longer-term help has been requested or# indeed# offered for "hen the initial crisis is overI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

0e are "orking on the issue of longer-term assistance ,he real need no" is to help "ith the disaster in its recovery phase ,hat is "hy the heavy-lift equipment# the planes# the helicopters and the "ork of the &15 are so vital ,hat is "hat needs to be done no"# and then "e need longer-term planning about the needs of the Philippines and ho" "e can help
3ohn Cryer (!eyton an+ 1an*tea+) (!ab)'

$s the Prime Minister a"are of any lobbying activities undertaken by the Sri Lankan Bovernment "ithin 0estminster# either directly or through third-party lobbying companiesI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ am frequently lobbied by the high commissioner for Sri Lanka "ho is here in the 4K# and obviously he "ants to put the best gloss on everything that is happening in his country# but one of the most important things is going to see some of these things for yourself rather than simply reading about them
)r "avi+ $4rrowe* (#n-iel+, ,o4th0ate) (Con)'

Some hon Members may recall David Miliband# the chief e3ecutive of the $nternational &escue Committee# saying "hen 5oreign Secretary that the Sri Lankan Bovernment have engaged in a "ar "ithout "itness Can the Prime Minister assure me that follo"ing his visit Sri Lankans can all benefit from a peace "ith "itnessesI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

My hon 5riend is entirely right 0hat is required is peace and reconciliation and proper rights for everyone "ho lives in Sri Lanka 1s $ said# the fact that the "orld is going to be "atching ho" this reconciliation takes place is very important
Nic2 ,mith ($laena4 Gwent) (!ab)'

Biven the defiant tone of President &a'apaksa after the summit# does the Prime Minister really believe that progress on human rights by March ne3t year is possibleI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

,hat decision rests "ith the Sri Lankan Bovernment $ do not think it is fair to say that they have done nothing in response to the need for action or# indeed# international pressure 1s $ said# the fact that an election has taken place in the northern province and a ne" chief minister has been elected "ho is part of the ,amil )ational 1lliance is a very positive step for"ard 0e "ill not get any"here if "e do not point to the positive things that are happening as "ell as being very tough and firm about "here further action is needed
)r %n+rew !ove (#+monton) (!ab6Co7op)'

0hile recognising the good intentions of the Prime Minister in going to the north of Sri Lanka# that action has failed to drag any concessions out of President &a'apaksa or to convince his Common"ealth colleagues to sign a communiquJ criticising human rights in Sri Lanka 0hat confidence does the Prime Minister have that in five months% time or so action can be taken on its chairmanship of the Common"ealth and on setting up a 4nited )ations investigationI ,he Prime MinisterH1s $ said# the decision "ill rest "ith the Sri Lankan President# but $ do not think that anyone can be in any doubt that they are under more pressure today than they "ere a "eek ago# or a month ago# because of the international attention that has been shone on these issues6they kno" that the "orld "ill be "atching 2ne only has to "atch President &a'apaksa%s press conference# "hich "as dominated by questions about human rights and

inquiries into "hat happened at the end of the "ar# to see that there is pressure today that there "as not a "eek ago Michael >llis 7)orthampton )orth9 7Con9HDoes the Prime Minister kno" that he "as described recently in the 1ustralian press as a(defender of democratic ideals and confident international statesman+I$s it not the case that he "as right to go to Sri Lanka because of the constitutional obligation of supporting the head of the Common"ealth and her representative the Prince of 0ales# and because the concomitant publicity# both in the 4K and around the "orld# has highlighted the issue front and centreI ,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend $t "as right to take that stand and attend# and to stand up for the Common"ealth 1bove all# it "as an important meeting of a multilateral organisation in "hich "e play an important part $ have been called quite a lot of things in recent days# but let me put it this "ayH those vie"s are not al"ays necessarily shared "idely in the Cameron household !u" $rranca-Davies 72gmore9 7Lab9H,he Prime Minister has made much of the spotlight his visit has shone on human rights abuses in Sri Lanka 0hat do "e make of the fact that not only "as there no communiquJ# but that in the final statement there "as no mention of those human rights abuses# let alone an inquiry into themI ,he Prime MinisterH1s the hon Bentleman "ill kno"# one of the strengths of the Common"ealth# but also the source of some of its trouble# is that it is an organisation based on consensus $f someone disagrees "ith a potential conclusion it is effectively struck out $t "as not# therefore# possible to have everything in the communiquJ that "e "anted $s there# ho"ever# pressure on the Sri Lankan Bovernment to act# to reconcile and to sort these problems outI 1s $ said# there is more pressure today than there has been for a "hile &ory Ste"art 7Penrith and ,he Border9 7Con9H$ congratulate my right hon 5riend the Secretary of State for $nternational Development on the "ork in the Philippines $ encourage the Bovernment to make a clearer commitment over five years to ensure that the assistance in the Philippines does not cease "hen the headlines cease ,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend makes the important point that "e must be helpful in the long term $ do not think it is possible no" to predict e3actly "hat the needs and priorities "ill be6"e are still in the recovery phase6but proper "ork should be done to see "hat "e can do to help 0ith our = PQ of gross national income aid commitment# Britain is in the forefront of doing the right thing internationally $ am sure "e can bring some of that to bear in the Philippines Mr Peter Bone 70ellingborough9 7Con9H,he British people# seeing the television pictures from Sri Lanka of the Prime Minister smashing Muralitharan for si3# "ill think that the Prime Minister is auditioning for a role in the >ngland 1shes team 1fter"ards# Muralitharan said that the situation in the north "as improving 0ould the Prime Minister like to comment on thatI ,he Prime MinisterH5irst# $ did not hit Muralitharan for si3 Secondly# $ think he "as being

quite gentle "ith me $ certainly could not read "hich "ay the ball "as going to go and $ "as fairly lucky to hit it at all !e made a good point that a huge amount of progress has been made in terms of peace# stability and economic prosperity !is organisation is bringing together ,amils# Sinhalese and others to help forge the country together !e is doing ama*ing "ork and "e should back that "ork !e also thought $ "as right to attend and to raise these issues 0hat he "ants# as a proud Sri Lankan# is to ensure that a fair picture is painted of his country# and he is right to say that Duncan !ames 7Chippenham9 7LD9H,he Prime Minister clearly succeeded in raising concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka 1t the Common"ealth summit# did he or his officials get the chance to raise# "ith the Bovernment of Bangladesh# our Bovernment%s "ish for them to address concerns about the $nternational Crimes ,ribunal in Bangladesh# the upholding of fair trial standards and the use of the death penalty for those convictedI ,he Prime MinisterHMy right hon 5riend the 5oreign Secretary raised those specific issues "ith the 5oreign Minister of Bangladesh 0e have a good engagement "ith that country# and no issues are off limits Dr Phillip Lee 7Bracknell9 7Con9H,he typhoon in the Philippines is 'ust the latest natural disaster to afflict the globe $n the light of such dreadful events# is the Prime Minister interested in hearing more about my idea for the Bovernment to build a mobile army surgical hospital capability that Britain could deploy s"iftly into the field ,he deployment of naval forces# although very "elcome# can take days# but a M1S! unit can be deployed "ithin C@ hours of his decision ,he Prime MinisterH$ "ould be interested to hear about that idea 1s my hon 5riend kno"s# "e have emergency capabilities that can be sent out of the country very rapidly# but there is al"ays room to see "hether "e can improve such an issue# either at a British level or by doing things "ith partners 1ndre" Fones 7!arrogate and Knaresborough9 7Con9H1mnesty $nternational has "elcomed the Prime Minister%s call for(genuine freedom of e3pression andLan end to the intimidation of 'ournalists+ Does my right hon 5riend think that it "ould have been as easy to speak up for the freedom of the Sri Lankan press had he stayed in LondonI ,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for "hat he says Being able to take 'ournalists to the north of the country# particularly to the 4thayan ne"spaper# so many of "hose 'ournalists have been in'ured or killed in the course of their "ork# "as a very po"erful "ay of dra"ing attention to the importance of a free press and of freedom from intimidation )eil Carmichael 7Stroud9 7Con9H$ "armly "elcome the Prime Minister%s statement# not least because it rams home the importance of Britain%s involvement in the international community 2n trade# does he agree that the "elcome ne"s about the 1irbus order# "orth ?- @ billion# is e3cellent for the south-"est and for Stroud# "hich supplies parts of the aircraftI

,he Prime MinisterH$t is very good ne"s that both >tihad 1ir"ays and >mirates airline have effectively ordered -= aircraft each 2f course# the "ings are made in 0ales# the landing gear in Bristol and# indeed# many of the engines "ill be made by &olls-&oyce in Derby $t is really good ne"s ,his is the high-end# high-skilled 'obs that "e need# and it has very much been backed by the Bovernment# because "e have put a lot of money into the 1erospace ,echnology $nstitute and the 1erospace Bro"th Partnership that "e are building "ith the industry Fames Duddridge 7&ochford and Southend >ast9 7Con9H,he Department for $nternational Development%s "ork in the Philippines has been innovative# successful and very popular !as my right hon 5riend considered supporting disaster resilience programmes similar to the one mentioned by my hon 5riend the Member for Bracknell 7Dr Lee9 more broadly# and looking at resilience planning for potential disasters# rather than simply "aiting for disasters to happenI ,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend makes an important point 0e are looking specifically at "hether "e can do even better in the rapid response element $ remember# particularly from "hat happened in !aiti# that British firefighters and e3perts can play a vital 'ob in rescuing people in the early stages of a disaster# but only if they get there quickly ,here is al"ays room to try to do better# and $ kno" that my right hon 5riend the Secretary of State for $nternational Development "ill listen to those suggestions Mr &obin 0alker 70orcester9 7Con9H,he Common"ealth can be a po"erful force for good in the "orld# as demonstrated by the centrality of human rights and shared prosperity to its charter# but does the Prime Minister agree that it is only as good as the commitment of its membersI $ congratulate him on sho"ing a real commitment to both the Common"ealth and human rights# rather than taking the easy political option of running a"ay ,he Prime MinisterH1ny institution "orks only as "ell as the political "ill of its members 0e can sometimes obsess too much about the precise make-up of the institution# but "e need to look at the political "ill that goes into defending the values to "hich "e have signed up !arriett Bald"in 70est 0orcestershire9 7Con9H,he Prime Minister rightly highlighted the e3tensive "ork done by the 5oreign Secretary to end the abhorrent practice of se3ual violence in conflict Biven the evidence of that having occurred in Sri Lanka# "hat can our Bovernment do to assist the victimsI ,he Prime MinisterH,he first thing "e must do is to continue the 5oreign Secretary%s e3cellent "ork to drive the issue to the top of the international agenda Some really important steps in relation to commitments from other countries and through the 4) have no" been made ,he specific allegations are one reason "hy the independent inquiry that "e have talked about this afternoon is so important &ehman Chishti 7Billingham and &ainham9 7Con9H0ith personal e3perience of being affected by a natural disaster6$ lost .= relatives# as "ell as my grandfather# in the Kashmir earthquake in C==-6may $ thank the then Secretary of State for $nternational Development and the current Secretary of State for the "ork done by the 4K and the public then and no" to help rescue people and save livesI $ urge the Bovernment to provide long-term support and assistance to

hard-to-reach rural areas "hose "hole livelihoods have been thro"n a"ay Such people need our help# as $ kno" from e3perience 0ill the Prime Minister make them a top priorityI ,he Prime MinisterH$ am grateful to my hon 5riend for "hat he has said !e speaks movingly about ho" his family "ere affected by the situation in Kashmir ,he key thing is to consider "hat long-term help and development assistance "e can provide for rebuilding and to look at resilience against future natural disasters ,hat is something for "hich the international climate fund can be used Fulian Smith 7Skipton and &ipon9 7Con9HDoes the Prime Minister agree that the Leader of the 2pposition%s cynical approach to his e3cellent trip to Sri Lanka contrasts starkly "ith the incredible6 Mr SpeakerH2rder $ have tried to be generous 0e have heard the point ,he Prime Minister has made his point of vie" very clear 0e do not need to rehearse the position of the Leader of the 2pposition ,he hon Bentleman needs to be a bit more delphic and perhaps a little less clumsy Mr ,obias >ll"ood 7Bournemouth >ast9 7Con9HMay $ "elcome the statement and the taskings of !MS Daring and !MS $llustrious# "hich are 'oining the 4SS Beorge 0ashingtonI ,his situation underlines "hy "e need both ne" aircraft carriers and to ensure that one is al"ays available Does the Prime Minister agree that the ne" aircraft carriers and the ne" ,ype CAs must have the ability to assist in upstream engagement# stabilisation and humanitarian tasks# as "ell as having the high-end "ar-fighting capabilitiesI ,he Prime MinisterHMy hon 5riend is right to raise the importance of the aircraft carriers and the capabilities that they "ill bring $n particular# they "ill be used as a platform for helicopters# for desalination and for command and control ,hey "ill bring a huge amount of capability to tasks like this one Mr Philip !ollobone 7Kettering9 7Con9HBiven the generous response of the Breat British public to the disaster in the Philippines# it is clear that this is international aid that everyone can support 1ll of us applaud the efforts of our servicemen and "omen and British charity "orkers on the ground Biven that "e meet our target of = PQ of gross national income# that "e are one of the most generous charitable donors of international aid in the "orld and that the defence budget is one of the tightest in 0hitehall# ho" is our military spending on such occasions offset against our international aid targetI ,he Prime MinisterH$ think that "e have the right balance 1s a country# "e spend almost ?.billion on our defence budget $t is the fourth largest defence budget in the "orld and it still "ill be at the end of this Parliament 4nder this Bovernment# there is much better co-ordination bet"een international development and defence ,hat is "hy "e have the conflict pool# "hich brings 0hitehall Ministers and money together to "ork out ho" the money can best be spent Sometimes that involves using our defence assets to help countries that are in need Stephen Mosley 7City of Chester9 7Con9H$f you "ill bear "ith me for a second# Mr Speaker# $ "as disappointed that the Leader of the 2pposition did not "elcome the ?- @ billion order that 1irbus gained over the "eekend 0ill my right hon 5riend 'oin me in "elcoming the deal and in congratulating the "orkers of Broughton# "ho manufacture the "ingsI $t is their e3pertise

and skills that make 1irbus such a "orld-beater ,he Prime MinisterH,hat "as e3traordinarily skilfully done My hon 5riend is right to stand up for the "orkers in Broughton# "hom $ have visited several times ,hey have incredible skills and produce incredible technology 0e should be proud of our contribution to 1irbus%s international success and must do everything "e can to back it ,hat is "hy $ "ent to the Dubai air sho"# "here far more British companies "ere holding stands and putting for"ard their "ares 0e should be full-hearted in supporting such industries Bob Ste"art 7Beckenham9 7Con9HDid the Prime Minister detect any signs# even small ones# from the Sri Lankan Bovernment that crimes against humanity might have been carried out by their security forces "hen operating in the north of the islandI ,he Prime MinisterH$ obviously discussed that issue "ith President &a'apaksa# as "ell as the need for an independent inquiry ,he Sri Lankan Bovernment%s current position is that they do not believe such an inquiry to be necessary and that they have their o"n processes and procedures !o"ever# it is fair to say that they recognise that questions are being asked internationally and that they "ill have to provide some ans"ers ,he ans"er is that "e must keep up the pressure &obert !alfon 7!arlo"9 7Con9HMany people in our country "ill be proud of our Bovernment for standing up against mass murder and genocide in Syria and Sri Lanka ,he ,amils "ill be comforted by the Prime Minister%s strong visit to the north of Sri Lanka 0ill he continue to ensure that the Sri Lankan regime is held accountableI $f there is evidence that any member of the Sri Lankan regime has committed "ar crimes# "hether from a Sri Lankan inquiry or a 4nited )ations inquiry# "ill he look at bringing them to the $nternational Criminal Court for 'usticeI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

2f course# that remains an option# but the most important thing is to get the independent inquiry under "ay $ "ould urge colleagues "ho have not seen some of the evidence in the recent Channel @ documentary to look at that# because one really can see the need for rapid ans"ers to the allegations made
)r 34lian $razier (Canterb4ry) (Con)'

$ congratulate my right hon 5riends the Secretaries of State for $nternational Development and for Defence for a model e3ample of a 'oined-up government response to the horrors in the Philippines Did my right hon 5riend the Prime Minister have time# in the margins of the conference# to discuss "ith President !ussain the dialogue that he has managed6 singlehandedly more or less6to get going bet"een himself and President Kar*ai over the vital future of 1fghanistanI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$ thank my hon 5riend for "hat he says about the 'oined-up nature of government bet"een the Ministry of Defence# the 5oreign 2ffice and the Department for $nternational Development ,hat 'oined-up government is no" "orking "ell# through the )ational Security Council and things such as the conflict pool# "hich brings money together for states# particularly those facing instability 0e have massively increased the amount of money going into that pool $ "as fortunate to sit ne3t to the Pakistani Prime Minister during one of the sessions and so had a good conversation about the progress "e "ere making "ith the trilateral approach and the better relations bet"een Pakistan and 1fghanistan Both countries recognise their mutual interests in peace and prosperity as democratic states living side by side
"avi+ ;4tley ()accle*-iel+) (Con)'

$ "elcome today%s statement and the leadership the Prime Minister is sho"ing in the Philippines# as "ell as the comments from my hon 5riend the Member for Stafford 7Feremy Lefroy9 0ill the Prime Minister 'oin us in highlighting the important "ork that 5ilipino community groups# such as MaccPinoy in Macclesfield# are doing across the country in raising the important funds# clothing and food required by families and friends back in the PhilippinesI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$t is important to recognise that there "ill be many people from the Philippines here in the 4K desperately "orried about their relatives back home 0e should be "ith them at this time and praising their efforts to raise money and resources for the disaster recovery appeal
"r &h<r=*e Co--ey (,4--ol2 Coa*tal) (Con)'

0ill my right hon 5riend confirm that he "ill continue to stand up for British values abroad and not play opportunist politics "hile important human rights issues are being discussedI Many of the people affected by those issues are currently living through a nightmare
&he (rime )ini*ter'

,hat is important on t"o counts 5irst# this is the Common"ealth# a multilateral organisation# and "e should be there making our arguments# because if "e do not# "e "ill lose important battles over the issues "e care about Secondly# it provided an opportunity to talk about human rights specifically in Sri Lanka and to raise their profile in a "ay that "ould not have been possible sitting at home
%n+rew $ri+0en (North 1e*t !eice*ter*hire) (Con)'

!uman &ights 0atch has praised my right hon 5riend for honouring his promise and delivering a strong message on human rights abuses and allegations of "ar crimes "hile in Sri Lanka Does he agree that had he listened to the advice of some political leaders and not attended in Sri Lanka# that message "ould have gone completely unheard and unreportedI
&he (rime )ini*ter'

$t is notable that 1mnesty $nternational and !uman &ights 0atch# "hich might have had some doubts about my attending# have made it clear that "e put for"ard human rights in a "ay that Britain can be very proud of